How to Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior by Increasing Exercise

For this Council Bluffs dog training session, we shared some creative ways to exercise 3 year-old Blue Heeler Jax inside to help drain his pent up energy and shared tips to stop his aggressive dog behavior.

Jax had a history of being human reactive so we met outside the home. When a dog is aggressive towards humans or dogs, meeting in an outdoor space with lots of room and some stimulation to provide a distraction can set the dog up for success.

Tips to Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior by Reducing Stress

Once inside, I shared a number of tips to help reduce Jax’s stress as that is the biggest contributing factor when it comes to dog aggression. I suggested a few new tools to use instead of a prong collar as studies show that pain or discomfort causing tools can increase stress and frustration which are both tied to dog aggression.

Another major factor was a lack of exercise. Being sometimes aggressive and being in the height of winter, Jax wasn’t getting as much exercise as he needs. This is a common issue for many of my dog behavior clients so I have come up with some creative ways to exercise dogs inside.

Using these unusual ways to exercise the dog will help him redirect his energy into a more productive direction and set him up for success. Hopefully the guardian will keep an exercise journal for a few weeks to dial in the proper amount of exercise to help Jax feel more relaxed and reduce his stress.

Are Blue Heelers Aggressive Dogs?

Blue Heelers, also known as Australian Cattle Dogs, can be reactive to people and other dogs, but they are not naturally aggressive. With proper training and socialization, they make excellent family pets. As herding dogs, Blue Heelers are territorial and often wary of strangers; they may nip or bite at the flanks of other animals to guide them. Their loyal and protective nature means they are always alert, watching over their families and belongings.

Blue Heelers also have a strong temperament and can get bored easily, leading to mischief if not challenged. To thrive, they need ample training, direction, and socialization from a young age to ensure they grow up friendly and well-adjusted. Additionally, they require at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day to stay happy and healthy.

These dogs are known for their loyalty to their families, intelligence, and boundless energy. Always alert, they demonstrate a strong sense of duty and can be quite protective of their guardians.

To help the guardian remember all the dog behavior tips I shared in this in home dog training session, we filmed a roadmap to success video that you can watch below.